Age:  23
Served:  2 years
1874 to February 23, 1876

On February 23, 1876, 5th District (Oliver Street) Patrolman Kemper found John Zilar, of 83 Everett Street, creating a disturbance in front of the Fort Sumter Saloon at 15th Street and the canal.  Zilar, an acquaintance of Patrolman Kemper’s, was intoxicated and instead of arresting him, he attempted to prevail upon him to go home.  Zilar consented to go to his brother’s home about half a block away fronting the canal between 15th and Wade Streets.  Patrolman Kemper succeeded in getting Zilar to the top of the stairs about 3:30 a.m. when Zilar suddenly struck him in the face which sent him toppling over the banisters to the sidewalk twenty feet below.  Lieutenant Wersel heard the noise of the fall and ran to Patrolman Kemper whom he found unconscious and bleeding from the nose, ears, and mouth.  His skull was fractured at the base.  Zilar stood at the head of the stairs boasting of his deed and threatening to do the same to anyone else who came up the stairs.  Lieutenant Wersel ascended the stairs, arrested Zilar with little effort, and took him to the Oliver Street Station.  Patrolman Kemper was removed to his home at Clark and Linn Streets where he died shortly before 2 p.m.

Patrolman Kemper left a wife, Louisa, and two children and was survived by his brother, Father Kemper of St. Philomena Church.  His funeral took place at 9 a.m. on February 25, 1876, from his residence, and was followed by 102 patrolmen under the command of Captain Heheman and Lieutenants Crowley and Wessel.  Patrolman Kemper was believed to be buried St. John’s Cemetery.

Zilar was charged with Assault with Intent to Kill.  After Patrolman Kemper’s death the next day, the charge was changed to Murder.  He was not yet tried for the offense by December 27, 1877, when he married.  He still had not been tried by January 1878.  It appears that during 1879, he moved or fled to Colorado.  By 1900 he and wife owned a farm and had seven children.  He died in Colorado at 71 years of age in 1927 having never atoned for his murder.

If you have further information, artifacts, or pictures of this officer, please contact the Museum Director at Director@GCPHS.com.